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What to send your Xactimate estimator
By the Log Cabin team
An outside estimator can only write what the file shows. A complete file means fewer questions, fewer revisions and a faster estimate.
Photos
Label and organize them by room. For roofs, by elevation (front, rear, left, right) plus each slope.
- Overview shots of every affected room or roof slope
- Close-ups of damage, materials and labels
- The rooms, walls and slopes next to the damage
- For roofs: edges, penetrations, flashing, ventilation and attic
The sketch
For interior, mitigation and reconstruction files: a sketch in ESX format, or access to your Encircle so it can be imported. Hand-drawn sketches and tape measurements aren't enough for an outside estimator to work from.
For roofs: a roof measurement report (PDF) is the minimum. An ESX roof sketch is preferred. Using Roofr? Its downloadable ESX file works as your roof sketch.
The carrier estimate
If the carrier has written one, send it. A line-by-line comparison is the fastest way to see what's missing.
Water losses
Moisture maps, drying logs, equipment placement and pickup records, and any subcontractor invoices.
Materials
Flooring type, cabinet style, trim profiles, shingle line. These details drive pricing.
Your notes
Anything you saw on site that isn't obvious in the photos, and anything you specifically want reviewed.